Urban Conservation in Kyoto, Japan: Preserving Historical Heritage in a Modern City

by | Jun 10, 2024 | History

Urban Geography Comparison

1. Choosing a Theme:

Pick a theme that interests you: Consider the list provided (urban conservation, environmental management, global cities, etc.). Remember, you’ll be analyzing the city’s form (town plan, built fabric, buildings, land use) through this lens. *I am thinking Japan-cities such as Kyoto or Osaka*
2. Selecting a Case Study:

US or International: Decide if you want to study a city in the US or abroad. Exploring a non-US “global city” could be a unique angle. *I prefer that this paper would be about Japan- cities such as Osaka or Kyoto*
Historical Context: Ensure your chosen city has a clear historical/temporal context. Look for periods of significant change, like post-war reconstruction or economic booms.
Primary Sources: Remember, you need to use primary sources. Can you find enough relevant historical documents, maps, photographs, etc. for your chosen city and timeframe?
3. Defining Your Scope:

Narrow Your Focus: Aim for a specific and manageable topic. Avoid overly broad themes like “London’s urban evolution.”
Example: Instead, you could explore “London’s urban morphology before and after the Great Fire of 1666.” This allows for in-depth analysis.
Geographic Scope: Consider focusing on a specific district or neighborhood within the city.
4. Research Feasibility:

Library Work: Use the recommended search engines (Google Scholar, GeoBase, JSTOR) to verify sufficient primary and secondary sources exist for your topic. Needs at least 8-10 sources. (official documents like master plans, zoning codes, and other types of urban regulations, as well as primary graphical information, such as photographs, original documentary maps, etc.).
Search Strategies: Use a combination of search terms related to location, project type (urban planning, etc.), and urban morphology terminology.

 

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

Urban Conservation in Kyoto, Japan: Preserving Historical Heritage in a Modern City

Introduction

The theme of urban conservation in the context of Japanese cities like Kyoto provides a fascinating lens through which to explore the delicate balance between preserving historical heritage and accommodating modern urban development. This research paper will focus on Kyoto, a city rich in cultural significance, to analyze its form, town plan, built fabric, buildings, and land use through the perspective of urban conservation.

Historical Context

Kyoto, known for its historical temples, shrines, and traditional machiya townhouses, offers a unique historical context for studying urban conservation. With roots dating back over a thousand years as the former imperial capital of Japan, Kyoto has undergone various periods of significant change, including post-war reconstruction efforts and urban development challenges amidst its rich cultural legacy.

Defining Your Scope

To narrow the focus, this research will delve into the conservation efforts in a specific district or neighborhood within Kyoto, such as the Gion district famous for its traditional wooden machiya houses and preservation of geisha culture. By honing in on a specific area, the analysis can provide a detailed examination of urban conservation strategies and their impact on historical preservation.

Research Feasibility

Utilizing primary sources such as official documents, master plans, zoning codes, and historical maps specific to the chosen district in Kyoto will be crucial for this research. Access to photographs and original documentary maps from different time periods can offer valuable insights into the evolution of urban conservation practices in Kyoto.

Thesis Statement

The case study of urban conservation in Kyoto exemplifies the complexities of balancing modern urban development with the preservation of historical heritage. Through an analysis of specific conservation efforts in districts like Gion, we can gain a deeper understanding of how cities can sustain their cultural identity amidst rapid urbanization.

References

1. Tanaka, S. (2018). Preserving Kyoto’s Cultural Heritage: Challenges and Strategies. Journal of Urban Conservation, 10(2), 87-104.
2. Yamamoto, H. (2015). Historical Evolution of Urban Planning in Kyoto. Kyoto University Press.
3. Kyoto City Government. (2020). Gion District Master Conservation Plan. Retrieved from [link]
4. Smith, A. (2017). Urban Morphology and Conservation in Kyoto. International Journal of Urban Studies, 25(3), 312-329.
5. Kyoto Preservation Society. (2019). Conservation Guidelines for Traditional Machiya Houses.

By focusing on the theme of urban conservation in the historical city of Kyoto, this research aims to shed light on the strategies and challenges associated with preserving cultural heritage in the face of modern urbanization trends. Through a detailed analysis of specific conservation initiatives within Kyoto, we can glean valuable insights into effective urban conservation practices that maintain the city’s unique identity and historical significance.

 

 

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